Inchcolm Abbey
Encyclopedia
Inchcolm Abbey is a medieval abbey located on the island of Inchcolm
in the Firth of Forth
in Scotland
. The Abbey, which is located at the centre of the island, was founded in the 12th century during the episcopate of Gregoir
, Bishop of Dunkeld
. Later tradition placed it back in the reign of King Alexander I of Scotland
(1107–24), who probably had some involvement in the island. He was apparently washed ashore there after a shipwreck in 1123, and took shelter in a hermit
's hovel.
The Abbey was first used as a priory by Augustinian canons regular
, becoming a full abbey in 1235. The island was attacked by the English from 1296 onwards, and the Abbey was abandoned after the Scottish Reformation
in 1560. It has since been used for defensive purposes, as it is situated in a strategically important position in the middle of the Firth of Forth. A medieval inscription carved above the Abbey's entrance reads: Stet domus haec donec fluctus formica marinos ebibat, et totum testudo permabulet orbem 'May this house stand until an ant drains the flowing sea, and a tortoise walks around the whole world'.
Inchcolm Abbey has the most complete surviving remains of any Scottish monastic house. The cloisters, chapter house, warming house, and refectory are all complete, and most of the remaining claustral buildings survive in a largely complete state. The least well-preserved part of the complex is the monastic church. The ruins are cared for by Historic Scotland
, which also maintains a visitor centre near the landing pier (entrance charge; ferry from South Queensferry
).
Among the Abbots of Inchcolm was the 15th-century chronicler Walter Bower
.
The Antiphoner contains a substantial number of chants dedicated to Saint Columba
. While these may derive from a variety of other monastic foundations with Columban associations, such as Oronsay Priory
or Iona
, Inchcolm is considered the most likely source of the manuscript's compilation, if not composition.
Inchcolm
Inchcolm is an island in the Firth of Forth in Scotland. Repeatedly attacked by English raiders during the Wars of Scottish Independence, it was fortified during both World Wars to defend nearby Edinburgh...
in the Firth of Forth
Firth of Forth
The Firth of Forth is the estuary or firth of Scotland's River Forth, where it flows into the North Sea, between Fife to the north, and West Lothian, the City of Edinburgh and East Lothian to the south...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. The Abbey, which is located at the centre of the island, was founded in the 12th century during the episcopate of Gregoir
Gregoir of Dunkeld
Gregoir, Bishop of Dunkeld ruled as Bishop of Dunkeld in the middle of the 12th century. He appears in a great number of charters dating to the reigns of David I of Scotland and Máel Coluim IV of Scotland, the earliest of which may date to 1135, although 1146 is the first firm date, when he...
, Bishop of Dunkeld
Bishop of Dunkeld
The Bishop of Dunkeld is the ecclesiastical head of the Diocese of Dunkeld, one of the largest and more important of Scotland's 13 medieval bishoprics, whose first recorded bishop is an early 12th century cleric named Cormac...
. Later tradition placed it back in the reign of King Alexander I of Scotland
Alexander I of Scotland
Alexander I , also called Alaxandair mac Maíl Coluim and nicknamed "The Fierce", was King of the Scots from 1107 to his death.-Life:...
(1107–24), who probably had some involvement in the island. He was apparently washed ashore there after a shipwreck in 1123, and took shelter in a hermit
Hermit
A hermit is a person who lives, to some degree, in seclusion from society.In Christianity, the term was originally applied to a Christian who lives the eremitic life out of a religious conviction, namely the Desert Theology of the Old Testament .In the...
's hovel.
The Abbey was first used as a priory by Augustinian canons regular
Canons Regular
Canons Regular are members of certain bodies of Canons living in community under the Augustinian Rule , and sharing their property in common...
, becoming a full abbey in 1235. The island was attacked by the English from 1296 onwards, and the Abbey was abandoned after the Scottish Reformation
Scottish Reformation
The Scottish Reformation was Scotland's formal break with the Papacy in 1560, and the events surrounding this. It was part of the wider European Protestant Reformation; and in Scotland's case culminated ecclesiastically in the re-establishment of the church along Reformed lines, and politically in...
in 1560. It has since been used for defensive purposes, as it is situated in a strategically important position in the middle of the Firth of Forth. A medieval inscription carved above the Abbey's entrance reads: Stet domus haec donec fluctus formica marinos ebibat, et totum testudo permabulet orbem 'May this house stand until an ant drains the flowing sea, and a tortoise walks around the whole world'.
Inchcolm Abbey has the most complete surviving remains of any Scottish monastic house. The cloisters, chapter house, warming house, and refectory are all complete, and most of the remaining claustral buildings survive in a largely complete state. The least well-preserved part of the complex is the monastic church. The ruins are cared for by Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland
Historic Scotland is an executive agency of the Scottish Government, responsible for historic monuments in Scotland.-Role:As its website states:...
, which also maintains a visitor centre near the landing pier (entrance charge; ferry from South Queensferry
South Queensferry
South Queensferry , also called Queensferry, is a former Royal Burgh in West Lothian now part of the City of Edinburgh, Scotland. It is located some ten miles to the north west of the city centre, on the shore of the Firth of Forth between the Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge, approximately 8...
).
Among the Abbots of Inchcolm was the 15th-century chronicler Walter Bower
Walter Bower
Walter Bower , Scottish chronicler, was born about 1385 at Haddington, East Lothian.He was abbot of Inchcolm Abbey from 1418, was one of the commissioners for the collection of the ransom of James I, King of Scots, in 1423 and 1424, and in 1433 one of the embassy to Paris on the business of the...
.
Inchcolm Antiphoner
The Abbey gives its name to the 14th century manuscript referred to as the Inchcolm Antiphoner. It contains one of the few remaining examples of Celtic Plainchant, Pages of the Antiphoner can be accessed online in facsimile from Edinburgh University http://www.lib.ed.ac.uk/lib/about/bgallery/Gallery/researchcoll/14thcentury.html.The Antiphoner contains a substantial number of chants dedicated to Saint Columba
Saint Columba
-Saints:* Columba , Irish Christian saint who evangelized Scotland* Columba the Virgin, also known as Saint Columba of Cornwall* Columba of Sens* Columba of Spain* Columba of Terryglass* Sancta Columba -Schools:...
. While these may derive from a variety of other monastic foundations with Columban associations, such as Oronsay Priory
Oronsay Priory
Oronsay Priory was an Augustinian monastic community on the island of Oronsay, Inner Hebrides. It was in existence by 1353, perhaps founded by John of Islay, Lord of the Isles. It was dedicated to St Columba, and perhaps was a continuation or a re-activation of an older establishment...
or Iona
Iona
Iona is a small island in the Inner Hebrides off the western coast of Scotland. It was a centre of Irish monasticism for four centuries and is today renowned for its tranquility and natural beauty. It is a popular tourist destination and a place for retreats...
, Inchcolm is considered the most likely source of the manuscript's compilation, if not composition.
See also
- Abbot of InchcolmAbbot of InchcolmThe Abbot of Inchcolm, or until 1235, the Prior of Inchcolm, was the head of the Augustinian monastic community of Inchcolm .-Priors of Inchcolm:...
, for a list of priors and abbots of the community - Walter BowerWalter BowerWalter Bower , Scottish chronicler, was born about 1385 at Haddington, East Lothian.He was abbot of Inchcolm Abbey from 1418, was one of the commissioners for the collection of the ransom of James I, King of Scots, in 1423 and 1424, and in 1433 one of the embassy to Paris on the business of the...
, the most famous abbot - Abbeys and priories in ScotlandAbbeys and priories in ScotlandList of religious houses in Scotland is a link page to any abbey, priory, friary or other religious house in Scotland.-Abbreviations and Key:-Aberdeen:-Aberdeenshire:-Angus:-Argyll & Bute:-Dumfries and Galloway:...
, for a general list of Scottish monasteries
External links
- Historic Scotland's page on the abbey
- Cyberscotia's page on the island - including maps, drawings, and photographs